The Hidden Life of Trees: The International Bestseller

And just like people, from time to time these insects crave something heartier than a sugary snack. They get this in the form of caterpillars, and thus they rid the bird cherry of its uninvited guests.

This sense is equally important for procreation. If their seeds fall to the ground in fall, they mustn’t sprout right away.

A severely pruned crown is a severe blow for the roots, which grow to a size optimally suited to serve the above-ground parts of the tree.

Fruit trees, willows, and chestnuts use their olfactory missives to draw attention to themselves and invite passing bees to sate themselves.

So, the decisive factor in whether the tree has a chance is the size of the wound. Anything much more than an inch is life threatening.

this is a place where a certain amount of physical punishment is still the order of the day, for Nature is a strict teacher.

I never tire of watching tree crowns move back and forth. I can see both the movement of the whole community and the movements of individual trees.

However, the character of forest fires in North America has been changed by naturally increasing drought conditions and the human practice of fire suppression, and forests that would once have survived, or even thrived, in the face of fire are now threatened by its destructive force.

It’s no surprise that trees try to defend themselves against these scourges by producing defensive compounds. If the infestations continue, it helps if trees form a thick layer of outer bark to finally

This plant, with its pretty lilylike flowers, prefers to climb up younger trees. The honeysuckle wraps itself so tightly around the little trunks that as they grow, they develop deep spiral-shaped indentations.